Comer said Smith was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt on Randolph Tabernacle Road, at an excessive speed, when he drove up on slower traffic. He swerved to avoid rear-ending a vehicle, traveled off the highway to the left and struck five vehicles parked on property off the road. He was traveling by himself and died on the scene of the accident.

The car was believed to have been traveling 70 mph in the 55 mph zone. Smith was not wearing a seat belt.